ZOOLOGY. 



25 



(Strix pratincola), Audubon's caracara (Polyborus cheriway), prairie fal- 

 con (Falco mexicanus), western red-tailed hawk, western horned owl 

 (Ilubo virginianm subarcticus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysa'tos), marsh 

 hawk (Circus hudsonius), various cayotes, wolves, and foxes. It is 

 pointed out, however, that birds of prey seldom molest the larger 

 hares. 



The epidemics to which they are subject are more or less local and 

 occasionally reduce their numbers materially. A tabular partial list of 

 the epidemics in the West is given. 



Rabbit drives and hunts (pp. 47-64). — The formation of rabbit drives 

 and hunts as followed in southern California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, 

 and Colorado is described. The following table summarizes the results 

 noted : 



General summary of 305 jack rabbit drives and hunts in the West. 1 



1 Including 10 from California and 2 from Idaho for which no figures are available. These drives are 

 not considered in obtaining the averages. 



2 Both drives and hunts. 3 Hunts. 4 Drives. 



The value of the jack rabbit (pp. 05-79). — In this chapter the value of 

 jack rabbits for coursing, for their skins, as game, and for canning, is 

 discussed. It is thought that the canning industry, especially in Cali- 

 fornia, might be very profitable and might make the rabbit pay largely 

 for its own destruction. 



The jack rabbits of the United States, T. S. Palmer ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division 

 of Biological Surrey Bui. &', rev., pp. 88, pis. 6, figs. 3, maps 3). — Largely a reprint of 

 the first edition. The additions note a special subgenus (Macrotolagus), and give 

 further data on the subject of bounties and on rabbit drives as carried on in Cali- 

 fornia and Idaho during 1896 and 1897. An appendix gives an account of an Indian 

 rabbit hunt of the 16th century, and of the modern hunts of the Pueblo Indians, 

 which were very similar in inany respects to the rabbit drives of California. In 

 the Fresno rabbit drive of March 21, 1896, at least 20,000 rabbits were corralled and 

 killed. 



Some insectivorous mammals, R. Elliott (Bpt. Ontario Ent. Soc, 1896, pp. 

 16-21, figs. 4). — The distribution and usefulness of the little brown bat ( Vespertilio 

 gryphus), the silvery bat (Lasionycteris noctiragans), the browu bat (Jddouyctcris 

 fiiscus), the red bat (Atalapha noveboracensis), the hoary bat (J. cinerca), the Caro- 

 lina bat ( Vesperugo carolinensis), the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), the shrew 

 mole (Scalops aquaticus), the hairy-tailed or brewers mole (Seapanus americanw), 

 the short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), Cooper's shrew (Sorex cooperi), broad- 

 nosed shrew (S. plaiyrhinus), the raccoon (Procyon lotor), and the skunk (Mephitis 

 mephitica) are briefly noted. 



Yeast and alcoholic fermentation, J. R. Green (Xature, 57 (189S), Xo. 1486, pp. 

 591-594).— -The author summarizes the present information relating to these subjects. 



